Advocacy

BE ENGAGED

Education & Community

BE ENGAGED

Who We Are

We are a membership organization of Illinois anesthesiologists focused on furthering patient safety and the practice of our discipline through education, representation and advocacy for our members. We also provide our member physicians with opportunities to connect as a community through events and networking opportunities.

Over the past century, physician anesthesiologists have advanced patient safety through innovative research, science and technology advancements. Whether in the operating room, procedure room, intensive care unit or pain clinic, physician anesthesiologists are committed to delivering the safest medical care that every patient deserves before, during and after surgery.

Even though anesthesia is safer than ever, the administration of anesthesia is a complex and technically demanding medical procedure. It requires a physician who has the extensive medical education (up to 14 years) and clinical training (12,000-16,000 hours) to evaluate your medical condition, recommend an appropriate anesthesia plan, diagnose and treat problems that might surface during a procedure, and make critical, split-second decisions that can save your life.

Who is in charge of your life? You have a right to know. Before undergoing a surgical procedure, you need to know who will be providing your anesthesia and ask for your physician anesthesiologist. Be sure your physician anesthesiologist is aware of your prior anesthesia and medical history, as well as any medications you currently take.

For more information visit When Seconds Count.

 

Board of Directors 2021-2022

PRESIDENT                                        
Brian Birmingham, MD

PRESIDENT-ELECT                            
Adamina Podraza, MD

VICE PRESIDENT                                
William Hauter, MD

SECRETARY
Ajay Gopalka, MD                       

TREASURER                                       
Charles Kim, MD

IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT
Tripti Kataria, MD, MPH       

ASA DIRECTOR  October 2022
Asokumar Buvanendran, MD

ASA ALTERNATE DIRECTOR October 2022
Lisa Solomon, DO

SPEAKER  2020-2022
Jason Mitchell, MD      

VICE-SPEAKER  2021-2022
Adam Young, MD

ASST SECRETARY  2021-2022
Michael Ander, MD

ASST TREASURER  2021-2022
Alisha Bhatia, MD

ISA DISTRICT DIRECTORS
I. Barbara Jericho, MD  2021-2023
II. Michael Haske, Jr., MD  2020-2022
III. Sasha Demos, MD   2021-2023
IV. John Sudkamp, MD   2020-2022

 ISA ALTERNATE DISTRICT DIRECTORS
I. Pete Pelletier, MD   2021-2022
II. Mina Oftadeh, DO   2021-2022
III. Dean Monma, MD   2021-2022
IV. Paola Pesantes, MD  2021-2022

ISA PAC Chair
George Hefner, MD

 

Illinois Delegates to ASA House of Delegates

2020-2022

William Hauter, MD
Lisa Solomon, DO
Adam Young, MD

2019-2021

Sean Adams, MD
Brian Birmingham, MD
Tripti Kataria, MD
W. Stephen Minore, MD
Ori Gottlieb, MD
Timothy Starck, MD
Eric Werner, MD

2021-2023

Charles Kim, MD
William Frame, MD
Adamina Podraza, MD

 

ALTERNATE DELEGATES  2021

Alisha Bhatia, MD
Wendy Binstock Rush MD
Rebecca Blumenthal, MD
Sasha Demos, MD
Maribel Galiano-Goll, MD
Ajay Gopalka, MD
Michael Haske, Jr., MD
Kati Kutlu, MD
Barbara Jericho, MD
Mina Oftadeh, DO
Jamie Priepot, MD
John Sudkamp, MD
Peggy Wheeler, MD

ISA House of Delegates

ISA is governed by a House of Delegates which is the process we follow to elect officers and formalize a discussion into an action plan. Delegates are elected through a ballot process which has been revised to a self-nomination/registration form. Everyone attending the meeting is asked to bring issues to the meeting that they think deserve attention and get informed. The meeting is typically held in April each year.

The most recent House of Delegates Meeting was held on April 9, 2022. Details for next year’s annual event and registration will be posted on the Events page when available. 

P A S T   P R E S I D E N T S

2020–2021   Tripti Kataria, MD, MPH
2019‑2020    Sean Adams, MD
2018‑2019    Ori Gottlieb, MD
2017‑2018    Gary F. Tzeng, MD
2016‑2017    W. Scott Jellish, MD
2015‑2016    George G. Hefner, MD
2014‑2015    Timothy W. Starck, MD
2013‑2014    Thomas W. Cutter, MD
2012‑2013    Edward Yaghmour, MD
2011‑2012    Eric Werner, MD
2010‑2011    Asokumar Buvanendran, MD
2009‑2010    Ralph Glasser, MD
2008‑2009    Wendy B. Binstock, MD
2007‑2008    Joseph W. Szokol, MD
2006‑2007    John E. Szewczyk, MD
2005‑2006    Usharani Nimmagadda, MD
2004‑2005    W. Stephen Minore, MD
2003‑2004    David M. Rothenberg, MD
2002‑2003    Timothy R. Lubenow, MD
2001‑2002    John Paul McGee, II, MD
2000‑2001    Jeffrey L. Apfelbaum, MD
1999‑2000    Kenneth J. Tuman, MD
1998‑1999    Sandra Drewes, MD
1997‑1998    Steven C. Hall, MD
1996‑1997    Andranik Ovassapian, MD
1995‑1996    Rodney C. Osborn, MD

1994‑1995    Jeffery Vender, MD
1993‑1994    Hugh C. Gilbert, MD
1992‑1993    Gary A. Draper, MD
1991‑1992    Naomi Sidell, MD
1990‑1991    Edward T. Toyooka, MD
1989‑1990    Susan Polk, MD
1988‑1989    Morton Shulman, MD
1987‑1988    J. Perry Jordan, MD
1986‑1987    Behrooz Zahed, MD
1985‑1986    Michael Cristoforo, MD
1984‑1985    Behrooz Zahed, MD
1984‑1984    William Gottschalk, MD
1983‑1984    Herbert M. Epstein, MD
1982‑1983    Bernard Wetchler, MD
1981‑1982    Robert B. Dodd, MD
1980‑1981    Ronald F. Albrecht, MD
1979‑1980    Anthony Ivankovich, MD
1978‑1979    M. Ramez Salem, MD
1977‑1978    Edward A. Brunner, MD
1976‑1977    Henri S. Havdala, MD
1975‑1976    R. Merle Stauffer, MD
1974‑1975    Adel A. El‑Etr, MD
1973‑1974    E. Trier Morch, MD, PhD
1972‑1973    Edward S. Evenson, MD

1971‑1972    Alon P. Winnie, MD
1970‑1971    Raymond Rose, MD
1969‑1970    John F. McKeage, MD
1968‑1969    Max Sadove, MD
1967‑1968    Vincent J. Collins, MD
1966‑1967    Ernest Dewhirst, MD
1965‑1966    Arthur T. Shima, MD
1964‑1965    James A. Felts, MD
1963‑1964    Max Sadove, MD
1962‑1963    Richard Lyons, MD
1961‑1962    Ernest F. Kreutzer, MD
1960‑1961    Harold L. Harris, MD
1959‑1960    Lawrence Ruttle, MD
1958‑1959    Huberta Livingston, MD
1957‑1958    James A. Felts, MD
1956‑1957    Bernard Stodsky, MD
1955‑1956    William O. McQuiston, MD
1954‑1955    Frank M. Grem, MD
1953‑1954    Herman J. Nebel, MD
1952‑1953    Lewis Hitchner, MD
1951‑1952    Bryce K. Ozanne, MD
1950‑1951    Charles Anderson, MD
1949‑1950    William O. McQuiston, MD
1948‑1949    W. Allen Conroy, MD

Lobby Day

Annual event held in March when we canvass the state capitol in Springfield to speak to legislators and explain the perspective of physician anesthesiologists. Anesthesiologists must remain engaged with those who implement the changes that will ultimately affect patient safety. 

LATEST ANNOUNCEMENTS AND NEWS

Rothenberg

RothenbergI have been involved with the ISA for almost 30 years and have seen the organization provide outstanding platforms for the education of our constituency, and most importantly, been at the forefront for advocacy in protecting the well-being of our profession.

 

David M. Rothenberg, M.D. – District 1

Buvanendran

BuvanendranThe power of anesthesiologists working together against influences that adversely affect our practice, is priceless. Complaining does not affect change – get involved!

 

Asokumar Buvanendran, M.D. – ASA Alternate Disctrict Director

Hulata

HulataPayments and reimbursements are constantly changing. ISA is a great place to know how to prepare as well as shape the future.

 

David Hulata, M.D. – Disctrict 11

Adams

AdamsMy practice had a tedious challenge with EPIC documentation of post anesthesia notes which no one seemed able to efficiently resolve. I called a neighboring colleague that I met at an ISA meeting who already implemented EPIC at their practice. They happily solved my problem in ten minutes which would take hours and numerous emails otherwise. My professional network has grown through the events ISA provides.

 

Sean Adams, M.D. – District III

Tzeng

TzengThe ISA has been so fulfilling to me and my practice! The ISA has helped my practice strategize for the future through its educational conferences, provided opportunity for me to develop amazing personal and professional relationships, and helped me grow as a physician advocate by providing opportunities and skills to effectively educate legislators about the critical role of physicians and especially anesthesiologists. ISA continues to be invaluable for my professional and personal growth as such a physician and anesthesiologist. My involvement in the ISA allows me the unique opportunity to shape and steer our profession and my future by being a proactive participant rather than a passive audience in today’s changing medical landscape.

 

Gary Tzeng, M.D. – District III

Awards

Distinguished Service Award – presented to those physicians or scientists who have made outstanding contributions to this Society and/or the field of anesthesiology in the State of Illinois.

Nominations for the Award may be submitted by an Active, Honorary, or Life member of this Society to the most recent Past President at least sixty days prior to the annual meeting of the House of Delegates. Current ISA officers are not eligible for selection.

Do you know someone you would like to nominate? Contact us and tell us why at contact@isahq.org


William O. McQuiston Award – presented to an outstanding clinical anesthesiologist who has made and communicated significant contributions to the practice of anesthesiology in the spirit of William O. McQuiston, MD.


Ralph Waters Award – awarded to a physician or scientist who has made outstanding contributions to the field of anesthesiology as a medical discipline in the spirit of Ralph M. Waters, MD. Candidates are selected by the Ralph Waters Commission.